Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 38th Match Group A

That's it from all of us here. Hope you enjoyed the coverage as much as we did bringing it to you. On behalf of my colleagues Srivathsa, Pradeep, Ajith and Ganesh, this is Karthik signing off. Enjoy life and don't forget to join us for the 2 biggies tomorrow - Bangladesh vs South Africa in the morning and Australia vs Pakistan in the afternoon!

Sanga: It was very hot. We practiced in the heat and it took a bit of toll. When we won the toss, we knew the first 10 overs or so would be difficult. We lost early wickets so we decided to steady and keep wickets in the end. There was a bit of dew, more than what we expected. We want to play the quarters in home in front of our crowd. The conditions in India are different. But the way we played today, we are confident. Murali has an injury but he has enough time to rest. Hopefully he will be fit for the quarter finals. He needs to play. This is his last WC, so we want to make sure he enjoys himself.

Sangakkara is the MoM for his splendid 100

Taylor: We wanted to go to the quarters with momentum but Sanga and Jayawardene batted superbly. The third umpire made a decision and we have to get on with it. Sri Lanka played very well and deserved to win. Murali bowled brilliantly and we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. We will know who our opponents are in a couple of days. There are a few injury worries but hope they are fit.

Murali: I dived and got injured a little bit. My hamstring was injured, nothing serious, just a minor discomfort. Dew factor was there when I was bowling, the ball was skidding on. It is hard to spin the ball in such situations. I wanted to bowl as much as possible, good that I stuck to the line and length and I got the wickets.

As expected, the Sri Lankan spinners have rattled the Kiwis at the Wankhede. The wicket was offering appreciable turn, and the Kiwis, who are not great players of the turning ball, succumbed to the great man Murali. The Lankans were initially sloppy on the field dropping Ryder and Taylor early on in their innings, but the spinners came back and took wickets in frequent intervals to ensure that they move to the top of the table. Sangakkara, their captain, led from the front with a fantastic hundred that set the stage for the spinners to do some magic and Jayawardene chipped in with a very useful knock. Stay tuned for the presentation...

34.6 Malinga to Bennett, out Bowled!! That's it, Malinga has cleaned up Bennett here, he gave him a bouncer the previous delivery, Bennett was perhaps hoping for something similar as he stood rooted in his crease, Mistake, it was a fuller length delivery homing on the off-stump, Bennett pokes limply at that and predictably is beaten by raw pace, the off-stump is flattened out of the ground and that is the match for the Lankans. The Lankans have registered a comprehensive 112 run victory that ensures the 2nd spot in Group A. The wily old fox, Murali, was simply outstanding and the Kiwi batsmen had absolutely no idea as to how to play him, Mendis supported him well, the Kiwis seemed to be distracted by the controversial non-dismissal of Jayawardene and that seemed to have played into their minds. Bennett b Malinga 0(4)

Malinga to Bennett, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

34.5 Malinga to Bennett, no run, short delivery on the stumps, Bennett ducks underneath it

34.4 Malinga to Oram, 1 run, slower delivery on the stumps, Oram eases it to extra cover and is happy to let Bennett face Malinga for the final two deliveries

34.3 Malinga to Oram, no run, yorker length delivery, Oram gave himself room and winded up for a big shot, it sqeezes past his bat

34.2 Malinga to Oram, FOUR!!, fuller length delivery on the stumps, Oram tonks this one past Malinga, that whizzled into the fence in a flash

34.1 Malinga to Oram, FOUR!!, Oram stands deep in his crease and clubs this one past the man diving at mid-on for a welcome boundary

Lasith Malinga [4.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack

Oram has decided that he will try and reduce the margin of defeat. He opts for the batting powerplay.

33.4 Ajantha Mendis to Southee, out Lbw!! That was dead plumb, faster delivery on the stumps, Southee plays all around it, the ball strikes him low in front of middle stump, replays show that the ball was going to crash into middle stump, it cannot get much plumber than this, Southee went into a review hoping that he might have got some bat onto it, but replays confirm that there was no bat and the original decision stands. Southee lbw b Ajantha Mendis 8(8) [4s-1]

Ajantha Mendis to Southee, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Southee has been given out LBW. He has decided to go for a review

33.3 Ajantha Mendis to Oram, 1 run, flighted delivery, Oram comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single

33.2 Ajantha Mendis to Southee, 1 run, flatter and quicker on the middle and leg, Southee clips it to deep square leg for an ambled single

31.3 Muralitharan to Franklin, out Caught by Dilshan!! Another one bites the dust, The Kiwis are just not reading Muralitharan here, another off-break that pitched just outside off, Franklin comes forward and looks to drive it towards long off, the ball turns just a bit and he ends up lobbing an easy catch to Dilshan at silly mid-off, Muralitharan is having quite a day and he is enjoying himself. Franklin c Dilshan b Muralitharan 20(29) [4s-2]

Muralitharan to Franklin, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

31.2 Muralitharan to Oram, leg byes, 1 run, quicker delivery on the pads, the ball rolls of his pads for a single

31.1 Muralitharan to Franklin, 1 run, well tossed up delivery outside off, Franklin defends it wide of cover point for a single

30.6 Dilshan to Oram, no run, fullish delivery on the middle and leg, Oram clips it straight to the fielder at short fine leg

30.5 Dilshan to Oram, no run, flatter delivery on the stumps, Oram clips it to mid-wicket

30.4 Dilshan to Franklin, 1 run, well flighted delivery outside off, Franklin taps it down to long off for a single

30.3 Dilshan to Oram, 1 run, tossed up delivery on the stumps, Oram drives it down to long on

30.2 Dilshan to Oram, 2 runs, Oram comes down the track and swings this one of the inner half of the bat wide of backward square leg

30.1 Dilshan to Oram, no run, flatter delivery outside off, Oram punches it back to the bowler

29.6 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, quicker delivery outside off, Franklin taps it to cover point, NZ are going nowhere here, the required run-rate is shooting up to alarming levels

29.5 Muralitharan to Oram, 1 run, slightly short on the stumps, Oram gets back and punches it wide of the man at mid-on

29.4 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, well flighted outside off, Oram punches it to cover point

29.3 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, slower and nicely looped up delivery outside off, Oram goes for a swipe across the line and is beaten

29.2 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, well tossed up delivery outside off, Oram gets well across and defends it towards the off-side

26.5 Dilshan to N McCullum, out Caught by Mahela Jayawardene at 1st slip!! Dilshan strikes now, he was never turning anything, this one was full and going straight on, N McCullum goes for an expansive drive, gets a thick outside edge and it goes at a comfortable height to Jayawardene at first slip who has one of the safest pair of hands, pouches it comfortably. N McCullum c Mahela Jayawardene b Dilshan 4(8)

Dilshan to N McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

26.4 Dilshan to Franklin, 1 run, good length and just outside off, Franklin stays back and pushes it on the offside for another single

26.3 Dilshan to Franklin, no run, pitched up and sliding on from round the wicket, Franklin gets behind the line nicely and defends it

26.2 Dilshan to N McCullum, 1 run, fuller length and slight turn, N McCullum works it on the onside for another single

26.1 Dilshan to Franklin, 1 run, good length and just outside off, Franklin taps it on the offside for a quick single

25.6 Muralitharan to N McCullum, no run, fuller length and on the middle and leg, N McCullum taps it down the track

25.5 Muralitharan to Franklin, 1 run, pitched up again, Franklin gets to the pitch of the delivery and works it on the offside for an easy single

25.4 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, very full and on the middle and leg, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and punches it back to Muralitharan

25.3 Muralitharan to Franklin, FOUR!!, Muralitharan comes closer to the off stump and pushes it through quicker, Franklin opens the face of the bat very late and it raced away to the boundary despite the dive put in by Malinga

25.2 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, good length outside off and turning away, Franklin watches it carefully and shoulders arms

25.1 Muralitharan to N McCullum, leg byes, 1 run, very full from round the wicket, N McCullum plonks his foot forward and tries to defend, it hits his pads and goes very fine, they take one for it

24.6 Dilshan to Franklin, no run, fuller length and sliding in, Franklin gets inside the line of the delivery nicley and blocks it

24.5 Dilshan to N McCullum, 1 run, good length outside off and going straight on, N McCullum gets deep in the crease and pushes it on the offside for an easy single

24.4 Dilshan to N McCullum, no run, good length and just outside off, N McCullum waits for and taps it on the offside

24.3 Dilshan to Franklin, 1 run, good length and skidding on, Franklin stays back and pushes it on the offside for an easy single

24.2 Dilshan to Franklin, no run, nice and full from round the wicket, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and punches it down the track

24.1 Dilshan to N McCullum, 1 run, a harmless full toss from Dilshan and N McCullum just punches it down to long off for a single

Tillakaratne Dilshan [1.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack

23.6 Muralitharan to N McCullum, 1 run, nicely tosses up outside off, N McCullum comes on the frontfoot, plays it late and with soft hands on the offside for a single, gets off the mark

23.5 Muralitharan to Styris, out Caught&Bowled!! Muralitharan continues to weave his magic, nicely tossed up from round the wicket once more, Styris comes on the frontfoot and looks to drive, does not get to the pitch of the delivery and only manages it plays it uppishly down the track and Muralitharan jumps up to take a pretty easy catch, he is overjoyed and seems to have forgotten his hamstring problem for the moment, NZ staring down the barrel now. Styris c and b Muralitharan 6(10)

Muralitharan to Styris, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

23.4 Muralitharan to Franklin, 1 run, pitching outside leg and turning in, Franklin turns it on the onside and very fine for just a single

23.3 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, fuller length and on the middle and leg, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and pushes it back to Muralitharan

23.2 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, goes over the wicket to Franklin and flights it on the off, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and defends it

23.1 Muralitharan to Styris, 1 run, fuller length and just outside off, Styris comes on the frontfoot and taps it on the offside for a quick single

22.6 Ajantha Mendis to Franklin, no run, good length and outside off, Franklin tries to push it on the offside but misses it completely

22.5 Ajantha Mendis to Franklin, no run, loud appeal turned down, this one was sliding on from over the wicket, it hits the pads of Franklin but it was striking him outside off, the umpire is not interested and rightly so

22.4 Ajantha Mendis to Franklin, FOUR!!, Ajantha Mendis fires it down the legside and Sanga does not collect it cleanly, it goes between his legs and Murali who has done some damage to his legs cannot pull it back in

22.3 Ajantha Mendis to Styris, 1 run, good length and outside off, Styris cuts it on the offside for a single to get off strike

22.2 Ajantha Mendis to Styris, no run, good length and skidding on, Styris looks to work it on the offside, gets a thick inside edge instead, that could have easily crashed into the stumps, no harm done luckily for Styris

22.1 Ajantha Mendis to Styris, no run, good length and outside off, no turn, Styris pokes his bat out limply and is beaten comprehensively

21.6 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, good length and just outside off, Franklin leans forward and defends it on the offside

21.5 Muralitharan to Styris, 1 run, good length and just outside off, Styris plonks his foot forward and taps it on the offside for just a single

21.4 Muralitharan to Styris, no run, very full and some nice loop, Styris comes on the frontfoot and pushes it down the track

21.3 Muralitharan to Franklin, 1 run, similar line and length from Muralitharan, Franklin lunges forward and works it wide off cover for a quick single

21.2 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, good length and just outside off, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and pushes it to cover

James Franklin, left handed bat, comes to the crease

21.1 Muralitharan to Taylor, out Lbw!! Muralitharan strikes again, round the wicket once more and tosses it up, turns just enough to go inside the defence of Taylor and strike him on the pads, it was pitching in linr and replays confirm that it would have gone on to hit the middle stump, Muralitharan was bowling a lot of wrong 'uns from the same line and had Taylor playing for one this time, sheer mastery from Muralitharan, superb bit of bowling! Taylor lbw b Muralitharan 33(55) [4s-3 6s-1]

Muralitharan to Taylor, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Taylor has been adjudged LBW and he has decided to review that. Looked to be plumb to the naked eye. He was stretching quite a bit, height could be a factor.

20.6 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, 1 run, fuller length and on the off, Taylor punches it down to long on for a single and retains the strike with that run

20.5 Ajantha Mendis to Styris, 1 run, the off spinner this time from Ajantha Mendis, Styris plonks his foot forward and taps it in front of point for a quick single

20.4 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, 1 run, very full and sliding in, Taylor drives it nicely to long on for an easy single

20.3 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, good length and on the off, Taylor stays back and pushes it down the track once more

20.2 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, pitched up again and just outside off, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and pushes it down the track

20.1 Ajantha Mendis to Styris, 1 run, very full and straight, Styris works it on the onside for just a single

19.6 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, fuller length outside off, Taylor gets to the pitch of the delivery and pushes it back to Muralitharan

19.5 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, good length and sliding on, Taylor stays tall in the crease and blocks it watchfully

19.4 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, tossed up and just outside off, Taylor has to stretch quite a bit to defend that

19.3 Muralitharan to Styris, 1 run, round the wicket to Styris too, fuller length and turning in, Styris taps it on the onside for a sigle to get off the mark

Scott Styris, right handed bat, comes to the crease

19.2 Muralitharan to Williamson, out Stumped!! Tossed up and going straight on from round the wicket, draws Williamson forward and he plays down the wrong line, misses and drags his foot out in the process, Sanga is very quick to whip the bails off and Williamson has to go, we have seen that so many times from Muralitharan, he was simply too good for Williamson, the third umpire did not take long to give that out, simple decision. Williamson st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 5(8)

Muralitharan to Williamson, THATS OUT!! Stumped!!

Sanga is excited about a stumping. Looks out.

19.1 Muralitharan to Williamson, no run, Murali comes round the wicket now and delivers it straight on, Williamson goes for the cut but misses

18.6 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, very full from Ajantha Mendis, Taylor does not quite get under it, only manages to push it to mid on

18.5 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, a touch shorter and outside off, Taylor rocks back and cuts it hard but straight to the fielder at point

18.4 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, good length and going straight on, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and turns it to mid wicket

18.3 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, good length and on the off, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and pushes it down the track

18.2 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, the wrong 'un from Ajantha Mendis and Taylor picks it well, stretches forward and smothers the spin, defends it solidly

18.1 Ajantha Mendis to Williamson, 1 run, good length and outside off, no turn too, Williamson gets back and punches it on the offside for an easy single

17.6 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, a touch shorter but similar line, turning in from outside off, Taylor leans forward and taps it on the onside

17.5 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, tossed up and just outside off, slight turn in, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and defends it watchfully

17.4 Muralitharan to Taylor, no run, Taylor goes for the big heave on the onside off the free hit, Muralitharan pushes it through quickly and Taylor misses it completely, it rattles the stumps!

17.4 Muralitharan to Williamson, no ball, 3 runs, short of length and going straight on, Williamson rocks back and punches it on the offside and sprint across to take three for it

17.3 Muralitharan to Williamson, no run, tossed up and outside off, Williamson leans forward and drives it straight to the fielder at cover

17.2 Muralitharan to Williamson, no run, full and on the off, Williamson comes on the frontfoot and pushes it back to Muralitharan

17.1 Muralitharan to Williamson, no run, short of length and outside off, Williamson gets back and cuts it on the offside, a diving stop at cover does not allow them any runs for it

Muttiah Muralitharan, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

16.6 Ajantha Mendis to Williamson, 1 run, full and wide outside off, Williamson reaches out and pushes it on the offside for a quick single, gets off the mark straightaway

Kane Williamson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

16.5 Ajantha Mendis to Ryder, out Caught by Sangakkara!! Beautiful bowling by Ajantha Mendis, this one goes straight on with the angle from over the wicket after getting the previous delivery to turn into Ryder, he pokes his bat out as he tries to push it on the offside, gets a faint nick through to Sanga who makes no mistake. Ryder c Sangakkara b Ajantha Mendis 19(23) [4s-2]

Ajantha Mendis to Ryder, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

16.4 Ajantha Mendis to Ryder, 2 runs, tossed up and outside off, Ryder looks to go inside out through the offside, it turns a bit and Ryder is early on the stroke, plays it uppishly but just wide off mid wicket for a couple

16.3 Ajantha Mendis to Ryder, no run, fuller length and on the off, Ryder gets a thick inside edge onto his pads as he tries to defend it

16.2 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, 1 run, fuller length and some width outside off, Taylor reaches out and drives it through the covers to get off strike

16.1 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, nice and full outside off, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and drives it straight to the fielder at mid off

15.6 Dilshan to Taylor, 1 run, pitched up and outside off, Taylor leans forward and drives it to long off for a single, retains the strike with that run

15.5 Dilshan to Taylor, 2 runs, fuller length and just outside off, Taylor goes for the paddle, connects well and Malinga runs across to stop it, they take a couple

15.4 Dilshan to Taylor, no run, pitched up and just outside off, goes straight on, Taylor taps it back to Dilshan from the crease

15.3 Dilshan to Ryder, 1 run, very full from round the wicket, Ryder pushes it to long on to rotate strike

15.2 Dilshan to Taylor, 1 run, good length and on the off, no turn for Dilshan, Taylor stays back and punches it to long on for an easy single

15.1 Dilshan to Ryder, 1 run, Dilshan comes round the wicket to Ryder and slides it in, Ryder comes on the frontfoot and gets a thick inside edge onto the legside for a single

Tillakaratne Dilshan, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

14.6 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, fuller length and just outside off, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and defends it nicely

14.5 Ajantha Mendis to Ryder, 1 run, very full and on the middle and leg, Ryder stays tall and punches it to long on for another single

14.4 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, 1 run, very full and straight, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and drives it to long on for a single

14.3 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, FOUR!!, short of length and outside off, Taylor latches on to the width on offer, gets back, plays it late and picks the gap beautifully for a boundary

14.2 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, pitched up again and just outside off, Taylor leans forward and pushes it straight to the fielder at cover

14.1 Ajantha Mendis to Taylor, no run, fuller length and just outside off, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and pushes it to mid off

Ajantha Mendis, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

Murali can bowl after 8:11 PM IST. With that update it will be drinks as well. These two batters are the key for the Kiwis. Still 20 overs of spin to come and that will prove to be the decisive phase of the game. To tell you more it is Ganesh - fresh from a couple of days off (he went home to Chennai and came back) - who will be taking you through till the next drinks break. I (Srivathsa) will go and have some coffee.

13.6 Kulasekara to Taylor, 1 run, Sanga goes back as a short delivery is pulled by Taylor with no timing into the deep, retains the strike with that run

13.5 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, back of a length delivery and banged hard into the stumps, Taylor defends

Ha: We have seen that happening before and Taylor pulls away. Kulasekara's towel tucked behind his trouser fell off as he was running in to bowl and that distracted Taylor. Danny M on air: 'Tricky bowlers trying to disturb the batters with new techniques.'

13.4 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, good length delivery and on off stump, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and blocks

13.3 Kulasekara to Ryder, 1 run, short of length delivery on off stump, Ryder angles the bat and steers it late to sweeper cover

13.2 Kulasekara to Ryder, no run, punched off the backfoot to short cover, straight to the fielder

13.1 Kulasekara to Ryder, no run, another shout for LBW, but once again it pitched outside leg and caught Ryder on the crease, he was looking to flick it away, if it pitches on line, Ryder could be in trouble, SL don't take a review

12.6 Mathews to Taylor, FOUR!!, slashed away, no chance for Dilshan or any one this time, short and wide outside off, cut deliberately up and over the man at point, fast hands, sweet spot of the bat and it went racing down to the fence

12.5 Mathews to Taylor, 2 runs, Dilshan shows us his skills, that's how you do it Tharanga, he seems to suggest, smashed hard into the ground, he leaps high in the air and gets both hands to the ball at backward point, makes a half stop

12.3 Mathews to Taylor, 2 runs, full on middle stump, Taylor closes the face of the bat and works it wide of mid wicket for a couple

12.2 Mathews to Taylor, no run, Sanga is standing up to the stumps now, good length delivery on off stump, Taylor gets forward and defends it back to him

12.1 Mathews to Ryder, 1 run, short of length delivery outside off, Ryder goes on the backfoot and punches it square of the wicket

Angelo Mathews [2.0-0-8-1] is back into the attack

You could almost sense the tension between the teams. It has been a tense game, ever since that incident happened. You know which one I'm talking about. A clue - An Indian umpire was involved in it. Both the teams have been jousting and scrapping every ball since that incident happened. Now 'Superman Angelo' is back on.

11.6 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, nearly dragged back on, Taylor edged his attempted punch off the backfoot to his back leg, so easily could have gone back onto the stumps

11.5 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, and again pushed softly back to Kulasekara

11.4 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, Taylor comes on the frontfoot and pushes it wide of Kulasekara, to his right, no timing on that

11.3 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, good length delivery and seaming back in to off stump, Taylor defends

11.2 Kulasekara to Ryder, 1 run, driven on the up to sweeper cover

11.1 Kulasekara to Ryder, no run, are SL taking the review? No they are not. It pitched outside leg and trapped Ryder on the pads, no way that was out and SL despite a mini-conference don't take the review

10.6 Malinga to Taylor, no run, some peace out there as Taylor stands tall and defends the rising delivery from Malinga

10.5 Malinga to Taylor, SIX!!, 'You got to be kidding me' says Mark Nicholas on air and this is seriously poor stuff from the Lankans, Kula is the man at third man who palmed it over the bar, already we have seen it in this game from Baz, Tharanga and now Kula, it could well have been a football game, upper cut by Taylor, more of a thick slash from him, Kula ran in, misjudged it completely and then as the ball came to him much faster, he could not hold it at all, now Taylor is let-off

10.4 Malinga to Taylor, FOUR!!, that's almost an afterthought from Taylor, he wanted to leave that short ball outside off alone, then had the time and the mind to dab it over the slip cordon, Kula is too wide and Taylor finally gets off the mark with a lovely late cut/steer

10.3 Malinga to Ryder, 1 run, driven powerfully and a diving mid off, keeps it to a single, lovely stop, that was another boundary

10.2 Malinga to Ryder, FOUR!!, Tharanga is not one of the best fielders in this Lankan team and it shows, he drops Ryder , the one-legged pull, trade-mark Ryder style shot, lifted his right leg up in the air and short arm jabbed it, it went high and Tharanga at square leg seemed to have lost it in the background, jumped a little late and just about parried it over the ball, could prove to be a pivotal moment in the game

10.2 Malinga to Ryder, wide, the slower one slips out of Malinga's hands, down leg, wide called

10.1 Malinga to Ryder, no run, short of length delivery on middle, Ryder shuffles across a tad and then blocks to leg

Bowling PP has been taken and Malinga to continue. A dull phase of play this. Sri Lanka are giving nothing away and the Kiwi batsmen are taking their time to get their eye in before they can cash in later on.

9.6 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, a fine over from Kulasekara comes to an end, as he keeps it on a good length on middle, Taylor gets right behind the line to push it to mid on

9.5 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, make that 12 and Taylor will take his time to get off the mark, short of length delivery that straightened a tad, Taylor stabs it away off the thickish outer edge to backward point

9.4 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, 11 balls for Taylor and still on 0, pushes a length ball to the left of Kulasekara

9.3 Kulasekara to Ryder, 1 run, this ball skids onto the bat as Ryder brings it down at an angle and it rolls to deep square leg

9.2 Kulasekara to Ryder, no run, once again, Kulasekara is not giving an inch away, perfect line and perfect length, Ryder pushes it off the backfoot to cover

9.1 Kulasekara to Ryder, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, Ryder goes deep back into his crease and then defends

Murali is ready to come back onto the field. He will not be allowed to bowl straightaway and has to spend some time in the field, before he can.

8.6 Malinga to Taylor, no run, sharp short delivery, Taylor ducked under that expecting it go past him, it hit the left shoulder of Taylor and went looping to Sanga

8.5 Malinga to Taylor, no run, full delivery on off stump, Taylor gets forward and drives it hard into the ground and it goes to mid off

8.4 Malinga to Taylor, no run, cut and a miss, short and wide outside off, Taylor went for the upper cut and missed

8.3 Malinga to Taylor, no run, rising from a back of a length area, it is outside off so Taylor leaves that well alone

8.2 Malinga to Taylor, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, Taylor blocks from the crease

8.1 Malinga to Ryder, 1 run, Ryder closes the face of the bat and tucks it with the angle to deep backward square leg

8.1 Malinga to Ryder, wide, way outside off and a wide called

Now the blonde slinger Malinga comes back. A slip in place for him.

7.6 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, Sanga has gone back now, but no change in the result, full ball on off stump, Taylor leans forward to push to the off side

7.5 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, Taylor is seeing it well and he shows the full face of the bat to block

7.4 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, good length and moving in to middle, Taylor defends

7.3 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, Taylor played outside the line of the ball and edged his front-foot drive to short mid wicket, a thick inner edge too

7.3 Kulasekara to Taylor, wide, down leg and Sanga standing up goes to his left to make a half stop

7.2 Kulasekara to Taylor, no run, another LBW candidate comes in, Taylor though gets right behind the line of the ball and defends this in-ducker

Ross Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

7.1 Kulasekara to Guptill, out Lbw!! Guptill didn't review it and a wise one too. He had a word with Ryder who said to him - 'Son save them for the incoming men', you are a dead duck and dead duck he was. Perfect inswinger, landed on off and moved in off the seam to catch Guptill half cock, hit him low on the pad in front of all three stumps. Asad Rauf gave it out. Guptill has got out to Kulasekara many times like that. Guptill is a prime candidate for LBWs as he tends to play around his front pad after plonking forward. This time that tendency sends him back. Both the openers are gone now. Guptill lbw b Kulasekara 13(23) [4s-1]

Kulasekara to Guptill, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

6.6 Mathews to Ryder, no run, punched off the backfoot to cover point, straight to the fielder

6.5 Mathews to Ryder, FOUR!!, that's Ryder at his best, half volley outside off, Ryder leant forward and drove it fiercely past cover, he gave it the full monty and with that bulky frame of his, that went to the fence like a rocket, he is off the mark in style

6.4 Mathews to Ryder, no run, good length delivery on middle and leg, Ryder defends

6.3 Mathews to Ryder, no run, full and wide outside off, left alone

Jesse Ryder, left handed bat, comes to the crease

6.2 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, out Caught by Mahela Jayawardene!! Mahela - 2, McCullum brothers - 0! Brendon McCullum's brother Nathan was the one who was involved in the heated moment earlier in the day when Mahela was given not-out. Now Mahela has taken a clean catch and Saheba has given it out. For such a fine player like Brendon McCullum, there was no need to play those deft dabs. He gets out a lot like that. Tried to open the face on that and guided it into 1st slips' hands. Mahela went with it with both hands and took it cleanly. Brendon McCullum made sure he waited, got the confirmation from upstairs and then only went. Nothing wrong with that. Amidst all this hoopla, a huge wicket for the Lankans that. Brendon McCullum c Mahela Jayawardene b Mathews 14(16) [4s-2]

Mathews to Brendon McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Drama: Mahela has taken a catch and Brendon McCullum isn't moving an inch. The umpires are going upstairs. A little drink is being consumed by Guptill and Brendon McCullum. Mahela seems to have taken it cleanly. Saheba is the man in question. Will he make another controversial decision? He has given it out.

6.1 Mathews to Guptill, 1 run, full and on middle, Guptill wrists it wide of mid on, brings Brendon McCullum on strike

5.6 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, little bit of bounce for Kulasekara as he bangs it in hard into the pitch, Brendon McCullum adjusts by going back deep into his crease to defend

5.5 Kulasekara to Guptill, 1 run, full and on middle, Guptill jabbed it with wrists of steel down to long on

5.4 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Guptill shows the full face of the bat and defends

Sanga is standing up to the stumps. He has come up now to prevent Brendon McCullum and Guptill from coming out of the crease.

5.3 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, that back cut comes into play, down to third man

5.2 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, Brendon McCullum is taking his time to get his eye in, leans forward to defend a fuller length delivery on off stump

5.1 Kulasekara to Guptill, 1 run, Guptill blasted that on the up, Kapu put in the full length dive to his right at mid off and saved 3 runs for his side, it was hit well and Kapu had to put in the dive and he did

4.6 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, no run, full delivery on off stump, Brendon McCullum comes on the frontfoot and defends

4.5 Mathews to Guptill, 1 run, Kapu who is subbing for Murali at mid on came charging forward to pick that up, he didn't and Guptill made it into his crease with a full length dive, Guptill is very quick andhe would have made it anyway

4.4 Mathews to Guptill, no run, gets forward and defends the good length delivery on off stump

4.3 Mathews to Guptill, no run, beautiful delivery, kicked up from a short of length and looked like an off cutter, Guptill thought that it was a harmless delivery, it spat off the pitch and beat him, lovely bowling that

4.2 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, steered wide of backward point for an easy single

4.1 Mathews to Guptill, 1 run, worked wide of mid on and both scamper through for the quick single

Angelo Mathews, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

3.6 Kulasekara to Guptill, 1 run, Guptill gets an inside edge onto the pads as the in-ducker moves in towards off stump, he is quick enough to run across for the single

3.5 Kulasekara to Guptill, FOUR!!, thumped over mid on, Guptill picked the full delivery on off stump and went after it, hit cleanly and crisply, scooted away, the Kiwis are off to a good start

3.4 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, Guptill gets right behind the line and defends

3.3 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, full and outside off, left alone

3.2 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, the bottom edge nearly rolled back onto the leg stump, but it goes wide of the stump

3.1 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, FOUR!!, cutting away is Brendon McCullum and it is short as well, easy for Brendon McCullum who puts that with style, rocked back and smashed it wide of point

Murali off: Murali is off the field. When he was run-out, during his dive he appeared to have injured his hamstring. A big worry that for the Lankans.

2.6 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, this time picks the slower one on middle and turns it wide of mid wicket, retains the strike with that run

2.5 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, FOUR!!, top top shot, Brendon McCullum like Dilshan and Sehwag plays those shots by creating his own room, it was not a bad ball, a tad shortish, if you want to be harsh on Malinga, Brendon McCullum arched his back and then whiplashed the cut past cover, kept the fielder interested but raced away

2.4 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, no run, the familiar voice of Brendon McCullum booms: 'Waittttttttttt onnnnnnnnnnnnnnn' to Guptill as he pushes a short of length delivery to the off side

2.3 Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, Guptill stood tall to punch it off the backfoot, tried to force it, the under edge hit him on his back leg and rolled towards mid on, another single

2.2 Malinga to Guptill, no run, in the channel outside off, Guptill shoulders arms and then leaves

2.1 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, tapped to the right of mid on, easy single as the fielder is quite deep

1.6 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, lovely end to a fine probing over from Kulasekara, keeps it full and wide outside off, Guptill leaves once more, that one was the one that holds it's line

1.5 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, the in-out strategy from Kulasekara, another humongous in-swinger, pitches outside off and cuts back in sharply, Guptill left it alone, the ball almost kissed the off stump, so close it was

1.4 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, full and swinging away, that one moved away after Guptill shouldered arms, Sanga moves to his right to take it

1.3 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, loose shot from Guptill, went after a wide delivery outside off, the ball kept a little low and went under the bat, beaten

1.2 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, no swing, that one holds it's line on off stump, short of length delivery and Guptill defends solidly

1.2 Kulasekara to Guptill, wide, down leg, a huge in-swinger, wrong line

1.1 Kulasekara to Guptill, no run, And as I said, he gets this to snake back in sharply, swing in the air, lovely seam position, lands on middle and thuds into Guptill's thigh pad, he was caught hopping on the crease

Nuwan Kulasekara, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

Kula will share the new ball. He will get it to duck in and then bowl that one that straightens. He can be quite nippy. Does get late swing. A couple of slips too for him.

0.6 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, no run, that one hit the splice hard, full ball and thudded into the bat of Brendon McCullum who was pushing forward to drive to mid off, Malinga hasn't got any swing or seam movement in that opening over

0.4 Malinga to Brendon McCullum, no run, that one pitched on off and Brendon McCullum played at it too early, in the end he did not go hard at it, pushed to the off side, Brendon McCullum checked his shot

0.3 Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, full ball outside off, Guptill gets forward and pushes at it, a thick outer edge runs down to third man, all along the ground

0.1 Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, tapped to gully, a little bit of stutter but all is well in the end as both Guptill and Brendon McCullum take a single, Guptill is off the mark as well

0.1 Malinga to Guptill, wide, slides down leg and Sanga diving to his left could only get a glove on it, looked to the naked eye that it caught the thigh pad, but wide signalled

Guptill and Brendon McCullum are at the crease. Guptill is on strike. Malinga will open the attack

Such a short break. So short it was that poor Ajith - who generally has a big snack is left to contend with just one half hearted bite. And he is grumpy with it as well. Chill down Ajith. Still dinner to come. Right enough of the jokes as the Kiwi openers walk out. The blonde slinger Malinga has the ball. Mahela said there was some swing on offer, we will see. A couple of slips as Guptill gets ready to face the first ball.

Mahela: We knew the wicket was not going to be easy, bit of spongy bounce. 240-250 is a good score, we ended up with 265 and we have bowlers who can pick up wickets at the start. We've heard that it may swing under lights, but we have not seen that. It was a good effort, no one was sure whether he took it cleanly. To be fair enough I wanted the third ump to have a look at it. If I felt he had taken it cleanly, I probably would have walked. I have not seen the footage though, but to me it looked a half-half effort (referring to the controversial Caught and Bowled decision that went in his favor).

It has been a great contest between bat and ball. New Zealand had the perfect start when they sent back the openers with hardly anything on board. Tharanga was unlucky to be run out and Dilshan fell to a good ball from Southee. But any thoughts of further inroads were dented by Sri Lanka's batting walls - Sanga and Mahela. The duo consolidated and survived a good spell from the Kiwi bowlers. They hung in their despite the slow run rate and slowly built a partnership.
Mahela got a let-off when the third umpire denied Nathan McCullum a caught and bowled chance even though replays showed he caught it clean. Jayawardene made good use of the life as he went on to score a well made 66. Sangakkara carried on his good form, bringing up a well made century. The Lankans lost a few wickets after he went but a few lusty blows from the tail and useful runs from Angelo Mathews powered them to 265. The bowlers bowled well but have taken their own sweet time in doing so. They've completed their quota at 6:30 - 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the 2nd innings. Join us in a while for the chase. It promises to be a good one!

49.6 Oram to Ajantha Mendis, no run, sticks to the short ball again, Ajantha Mendis goes well across to pull it behind square, gets beaten again, and this is certainly a challenging total, considering the kind of bowlers that Sri Lanka have

49.5 Oram to Ajantha Mendis, no run, nice little bouncer from Oram, Ajantha Mendis was backing away looking to get under it and help it over the keeper, no contact made with the willow

49.4 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, Mathews pushes it down to long on, he wanted to get that second run, they decide against it in the end

49.3 Oram to Mathews, FOUR!!, too bad a delivery at this stage of the innings, full and on the pads, flicked through square leg, beats the fielder both in the inner circle and in the deep, moves into the forties

Ajantha Mendis, right handed bat, comes to the crease

49.2 Oram to Mathews, out Muralitharan Run Out!!1 run completed, too full, Mathews makes room and drills it down to long on, looked four once it left the bat, but Nathan McCullum is as quick as lightning, slides, flicks the ball to Guptill and he throws it back to Oram who whips the bails off, the 39 year old Muralitharan was caught short of the crease despite the desperate dive. Muralitharan run out (N McCullum/Guptill/Oram) 7(3) [6s-1]

Oram to Mathews, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

The third umpire has been called for, is Muralitharan run out over there?

49.1 Oram to Mathews, FOUR!!, these are very useful runs, mind you! It was pitched up and angled in, Mathews goes across, swings along the ground and bisects long on and deep mid wicket

48.6 Southee to Muralitharan, no run, Southee comes back with a bouncer, Muralitharan can't get the pull, beaten!

48.5 Southee to Muralitharan, SIX!!, How did he do that? Brings all his experience into play, gets his front leg out of the way, gets underneath the fuller one and lofts it over long off, easily done, targetted the safest part of the ground

48.4 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, a yorker from Southee, on the middle and leg, drilled towards mid wicket

48.3 Southee to Mathews, 2 runs, a low full toss, Mathews turns it to square leg, Taylor dives to his right to stop it, gets some hand to it but the batsmen take two again

48.2 Southee to Mathews, 2 runs, fuller, Mathews creates some room, drives it hard to long on, calls Muralitharan for the second run, he responds well

48.1 Southee to Muralitharan, 1 run, Muralitharan makes a bit of room and flays it to long on

47.6 Oram to Mathews, FOUR!!, banged in short and angling in towards the leg stump, Mathews looks to pull, the bottom hand comes off the bat but he gets enough to send the ball rolling to the fine leg boundary

Muttiah Muralitharan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

47.5 Oram to Malinga, out Caught by Brendon McCullum!! The Lankans continue to fall like the leaves of a tree, Malinga looks to pull, the face of the bat was pointing up, the top edge balloons up in the air and McCullum had to run a long way towards short fine leg, he had also crossed the 30 yard circle while running back, dives full length, takes it inches off the ground, the McCullum brothers are excellent fielders, well done! Malinga c Brendon McCullum b Oram 6(4) [6s-1]

Oram to Malinga, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

47.4 Oram to Malinga, SIX!!, the crowds love him in this part of the country, he plays for the Mumbai Indians and that's got the crowd on their feet, slapped a length ball with cross bat, a wild swing that, typical of a tailender, goes all the way to the long on boundary!

47.3 Oram to Malinga, no run, short ball, Malinga doesn't know what to do, was looking to back away and do a Sehwag, does not make contact

47.2 Oram to Malinga, no run, pitched up and angled in, trapped on the pad in front of leg, appeal from the bowler, umpire Rauf isn't interested!

47.1 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, back of a length and angled in, Mathews goes back and turns it to the on side

Jacob Oram [8.0-1-36-0] is back into the attack

Lasith Malinga, right handed bat, comes to the crease

46.6 Southee to Kulasekara, out Caught by Guptill!! That's what I call judging the misjudged one! Banged in short, Kulasekara pulls it to deep mid wicket, Guptill had to judge the ball properly, it was coming from the crowd at the background, he overruns a bit and for a moment it looked like the ball would take his head along with it, but manages to pouch it with fingers pointing up. He indicated to his teammates that the ball swirled in the air, he has a smile on his face and it has been a nice comeback from the Kiwis. Kulasekara c Guptill b Southee 1(6)

Southee to Kulasekara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

46.5 Southee to Kulasekara, no run, a bouncer angled in, defended to the off side

46.4 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, fuller one, he drives it down to long on, How was the fielder in the deep, he has been good today, only a single

46.3 Southee to Mathews, FOUR!!, Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Just used the pace of the delivery, it was full and on the leg stump, Mathews gets well across and helps the ball over the man at short fine leg, all he had to do was to get under the ball, four useful runs

46.2 Southee to Kulasekara, leg byes, 1 run, slower ball, Kulasekara was walking across, can't get bat on ball, goes off the pad to the on side, Mathews does not miss an opportunity to take the single

46.2 Southee to Kulasekara, wide, errs in line, short again but well down the leg, has to bowl another one

46.1 Southee to Kulasekara, no run, slight misunderstanding, it was a short of length delivery, Kulasekara failed to tuck that away, went off his hips to the on side, he wanted a single, Mathews sent him back and it was all safe in the end

Tim Southee [8.0-0-45-2] is back into the attack

45.6 N McCullum to Kulasekara, 1 run, Kulasekara gets across and turns it to short mid wicket

45.5 N McCullum to Kulasekara, no run, Kulasekara gets a leading edge to the left of the bowler as he looks to play across

Nuwan Kulasekara, right handed bat, comes to the crease

45.4 N McCullum to Silva, out Caught&Bowled!! Oh my! Looked like he almost dropped that one. After being denied a spectacular catch off Jayawardene, he was expected to take this one, Silva chipped it to the left of N McCullum, he went in with both hands, the ball hits him hard and pops out, he does well to bend and go for it again, takes it on the second attempt with his left hand and smiling faces in the NZ camp. Wonder how he would have felt if he had spilt that dolly? Silva c and b N McCullum 3(5)

N McCullum to Silva, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

45.3 N McCullum to Silva, no run, low full toss on middle and leg, Silva drives it straight back, on a couple of bounces to N McCullum

45.2 N McCullum to Mathews, 1 run, gives it a bit of air, Mathews walks down and taps it to the on side towards mid wicket

44.6 Styris to Silva, 1 run, Silva goes back and whips it past the sliding fielder at short mid wicket, retains the strike with that run

44.5 Styris to Mathews, 1 run, a full toss, Mathews drives it to long on for a single

44.4 Styris to Mathews, no run, fuller again, nice tight stuff this, he is doing an extremely good job, not too easy to contain someone like Mathews, dug straight to the fielder at short mid wicket

44.3 Styris to Mathews, no run, fuller one angling on the pads, Mathews misses out, should have been 2 runs minimum, the ball rolls to the on side off his front pad

44.2 Styris to Silva, 1 run, short of a good length, pushed to point, he gets off the mark without much delay

Chamara Silva, right handed bat, comes to the crease

44.1 Styris to Samaraweera, out Caught by Brendon McCullum!! It's not Styris, it is the extra bounce who has taken this wicket, nicely bowled though, hit the deck a bit hard from that short run up of his, Samaraweera was looking to go for that delicate late cut down towards third man, only gets a top edge and the keeper snaffles it up pretty easily, end of Samaraweera and SL are 219/5. Samaraweera c Brendon McCullum b Styris 5(8)

43.6 N McCullum to Mathews, no run, quicker one again, Mathews works it to mid wicket, they aren't able to convert the dot balls into useful singles

43.5 N McCullum to Mathews, no run, Mathews dances down the wicket and looks to flay that towards the cow corner, mistimes it to mid wicket

43.4 N McCullum to Mathews, 2 runs, that's one advantage of playing with soft hands, it was turning in, Mathews closed the face of the bat and nurdled it past square leg, the fielder takes some time to run towards the ball, an extra run

43.3 N McCullum to Mathews, no run, nice and straight, too full, Mathews digs it back down the wicket

43.2 N McCullum to Samaraweera, 1 run, fuller, Samaraweera makes a bit of room and creams it to sweeper cover

43.1 N McCullum to Samaraweera, 2 runs, Samaraweera sashays down the wicket and slices it over the man at short cover, there is a man in the deep, he runs wide to ensure that there was nothing more than two

42.6 Styris to Samaraweera, 1 run, angled in nicely, Samaraweera opens the face of the bat slightly and pats it towards cover point, another quick single to end the over, 4 runs off it

42.5 Styris to Samaraweera, no run, this has been a silent over so far, slightly slower, fuller as well outside the off stump, Samaraweera was stretching to the limits to cream it through cover, makes no contact

42.4 Styris to Mathews, 1 run, was going down the leg, Mathews goes back and clips it to short fine

42.3 Styris to Mathews, no run, much fuller, Mathews gets forward and taps it to the right of the bowler

42.2 Styris to Samaraweera, 1 run, that come came back in, tucked to the on side towards square leg

42.1 Styris to Mathews, 1 run, back of a length and off stumpish, Mathews guides it behind point for just an ambled single

Scott Styris [6.0-0-37-0] is back into the attack

The over rate has been horrible throughout the tournament and here's another addition, 6 minutes left and the Kiwis are yet to bowl 8 overs! Time for the ICC to be more harsh?

41.6 N McCullum to Samaraweera, no run, much fuller from N McCullum, driven down the wicket

41.5 N McCullum to Samaraweera, no run, a bit of air on that one, Samaraweera turns it softly to the on side, played off the backfoot

Thilan Samaraweera, right handed bat, comes to the crease

41.4 N McCullum to Sangakkara, out Bowled!! A tired Lankan lion falls apart! It was a flatter one, just angled in from round the wicket, Sangakkara was looking to go for the slog sweep, he misses and there was only one way the ball was heading, end of a spectacular knock, probably may turn out to be a match winning one and if there was a bowler who deserved a wicket, it was N McCullum, he celebrates in joy! He hasn't had a very good day though. Sangakkara b N McCullum 111(128) [4s-12 6s-2]

N McCullum to Sangakkara, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

41.3 N McCullum to Mathews, 1 run, fuller one on the off stump, worked away to mid wicket

41.2 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, turning away from Sangakkara, pshed down to long off

41.1 N McCullum to Mathews, 1 run, the batting PP is over and the spinner comes on, Mathews turns it to square leg, single taken

Nathan McCullum [7.0-0-37-0] is back into the attack

40.6 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, too full outside the off stump, Sangakkara can't dig it away, just 5 runs off that Southee over

40.5 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length and angled away, cut straight to cover

Sangakkara is holding his legs, looks like the heat is not doing him much good. Is he asking for a runner? Doesn't look like

40.4 Southee to Sangakkara, 2 runs, another yorker length delivery from round the wicket, Sangakkara squeezes it to point, he wasn't running at his best, the fielder decides to have a shy at the bowler's end, misses the stumps and they take another one

40.3 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, Slap! Mathews backs away a bit and whacks it down the ground, Guptill was the man at long on, ran quickly, picked it up and hurled in a rocket throw

40.2 Southee to Sangakkara, 1 run, too full, angled in, almost yorker length, but the pace was taken off as well, well squeezed to the off side

40.1 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, back of a length and angled in, Mathews opens the face of the bat and nudges it towards point, the fielders are towards the edge of the circle and that gives an easy single for Mathews

39.6 Oram to Sangakkara, 2 runs, too full, Sangakkara drills it straight past the bowler, How runs in to dive and keep it down to two

39.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no ball, FOUR!!, he's doing it with utmost ease and plenty of elegance! clears his front leg, creates that extra bit of room, the high back lift is something to admire, square drives the fuller delivery between backward point and cover point, goes all the way. Wait a minute! Oram has overstepped, Ah, misery!

39.5 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, on a length, Mathews pushes it down towards long on

39.4 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, good bouncer that, chest height, around the off stump, Sangakkara drops it to the off side and takes a quick single

39.3 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, fuller, stump to stump line, driven down to long on

39.2 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, on the hips again, tucked down to fine leg, he gets to his 11th ODI hundred, and also his first in WCs and against NZ, what an innings! He came in when they lost their openers quickly, he steadied the ship and took responsibilities to up the ante when it was time, how long will he contuinue?

39.1 Oram to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, it's Oram's turn to face the agony! pitched on leg, too easy for someone who is batting in his nineties, just a tickle was the need of the hour, Sangakkara gets it right, into the fine leg boundary

38.6 Southee to Sangakkara, 1 run, fuller and on the legs, flicked to deep square leg, retains the strike with that run

38.5 Southee to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, similar ball, Sangakkara backs away a touch more and goes over point, one bounce over the ropes to the square third man boundary, moves quickly to 94! He has been superb, and he's getting better as time goes by, just like wine

38.4 Southee to Sangakkara, SIX!!, it's already hot and tough on the bowlers, and Sangakkara is turning the heat on and making life worse! Wonderful upper cut, it was a short ball, there was a man in the deep, makes no difference as long as he can clear the point boundary with such ease

38.3 Southee to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, width on offer and that's Sangakkara for you! gets down on his knees and slices it over point, a couple of bounces, the ball races to the point boundary

38.2 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, full toss outside off, Mathews slans uit hard, good stop be Southee off his own follow-through, keeps them down to one

38.1 Southee to Sangakkara, 1 run, yorker length and on the off stump, squeezed to the off side, quick single taken

37.6 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, short of a good length, around the middle stump, Sangakkara goes back and drops it to the on side, quick single taken

37.5 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, low full toss and it was angling in, worked away to deep square leg

37.4 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, full toss on the leg stump, clipped down to fine leg, good field placing this, both third man and fine leg are in the deep

37.3 Oram to Mathews, 1 run, full and on the pads, flicked away to fine leg

With Bennett off the field, the Kiwis are short of one fast bowler, it will be interesting to see how Rossco manages his bowlers.

37.3 Oram to Mathews, wide, banged in short, it was over head height, the square leg umpire indicates that it was a wide and Mr. Asad Rauf agrees

37.2 Oram to Mathews, no run, banged in short, Mathews pulls, but straight to short mid wicket

37.1 Oram to Mathews, no run, back of a length and angled in, Mathews goes back and defends it, the fielder runs in and throws the ball at the stumps towards the bowler's end, totally unnecessary

Jacob Oram [6.0-1-16-0] is back into the attack

36.6 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, full and angling away, driven straight to the fielder at extra cover, 3 runs and a wicket there for Southee

36.5 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, banged in short again, one for the over says Mr. Kettleborough, Sangakkara ducks right under it

36.4 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, good short ball angled across, Sangakkara sways back, gets under the ball and lets it go

36.3 Southee to Mathews, 1 run, in the channel outside the off stump, pushed to cover point for a single

36.2 Southee to Mathews, no run, it is the batting PP and Mathews has been sent ahead of Samaraweera, short of length and on the stumps, Mathews goes back and defends it down the wicket

Angelo Mathews, right handed bat, comes to the crease

36.1 Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, out Lbw!! Alright, Nathan McCullum can point towards the dressing room now, Mahela has been given out LBW, he was a dead duck to be honest, pitched on off and middle, rapped in front of middle and it was going on to hit leg, no doubts in the minds of the third umpire, the on-field decision stays and Jayawardene walks back to the pavilion. Mahela Jayawardene lbw b Southee 66(90) [4s-6]

Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

I told you, this batting powerplay is a funny passage of play. Jayawardene has been given out LBW, looked dead plumb, he has gone for the review.

36.1 Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, wide, this is poor stuff from the strike bowler! May be the heat has gotten the better of him, full and sliding well down the leg, good stop by the keeper

36.1 Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, wide, full and well down the leg stump, was a slower one as well, may be just wanted to loosen up a bit, wide signalled

Tim Southee [5.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack

Alright, the most dangerous bowler has come in. I'm not talking about a Malinga or a Tim Southee or an Afridi, I'm talking about the batting powerplay. Wickets or runs? What do you think? I will go for the latter.

35.6 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, much closer to the off stump, Sangakkara gets behind the line and slaps it to the close in fielder on the off side

35.5 N McCullum to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, that's the shot of a man in tremendous form! He has scored 3 fifties already in the tournament, clears his front leg out of the way, creams it through point, wonderfully struck out of the middle of the blade

35.4 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, fuller, driven down to long on

35.3 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara walks across and works it to square leg

35.2 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, shouts of 'Catch it', but falls well short, Sangakkara was in two minds, unsure whether to slice it over point or go for the sweep, ends up just chipping it in the air towards backward point, played it with soft hands, it lands in front of Taylor

35.1 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, given some air, turning into Mahela Jayawardene, he backs away and steers it through cover for a single

34.5 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, Delicate! back of a length, Mahela Jayawardene gets behind the line and under the ball, just pushes it up wide of the keeper, gave a bit of pace to the ball and helped it run away to the third man boundary

34.4 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, too full again, drilled past the bowler towards long off

34.3 Styris to Sangakkara, SIX!!, Gotta be the shot of the day! full and straight for Sangakkara, he gets under the ball and lofts it handsomely, straight over the bowler's head, the ball goes all the way, just lands in front of the sight screen, when he hits those kinda shots, you can't help but think 'Why are left handers more elegant to watch than right handers?'

34.1 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara works it wide of mid wicket, just a single

Scott Styris [5.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack

With both batsmen going well, and with the ball being changed, expect one of these two to take on the bowlers and try to up the ante. The batting powerplay is up their sleeves yet!

33.6 Franklin to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, that's good bowling from Franklin, follows Mahela Jayawardene as he makes room, the batsman couldn't do much, taps it wide of the bowler to the off side and gets back inside the crease

33.5 Franklin to Sangakkara, 1 run, pitched up and angled in, Sangakkara flays it to long on, just a single

33.4 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, not too short for the cut shot, Sangakkara gets an under edge and the ball rolls back towards the keeper

33.3 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, looked like he smacked that straight to the man at extra cover but the ball hasn't carried, Sangakkara leant on it nicely, drove on the up, lucky!

33.2 Franklin to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, back of a length and angled in, glanced away to fine leg

33.1 Franklin to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara comes down and flays across the line, didn't get the timing well, the ball goes to deep square leg

James Franklin [2.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack

32.6 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, Awww! That spoils all the fun, wonderful batting, used all his years of experience, he knew that the third man was in and all he needed was a deft touch, it was slightly fuller and just outside the off stump, Mahela Jayawardene plays it with an angled bat, plays it very late, the slightest of touches was all that he needed, races away to the third man boundary

32.5 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, a slower one from Ryder, Mahela Jayawardene does not pick it up, manages to get bat on ball and tap it to the on side

32.4 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, fuller, driven back to the bowler

32.3 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, short ball, Mahela Jayawardene goes back and cuts it hard, good stop by How at backward point

32.2 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, good delivery to start with, it was short and close to the off stump, Mahela Jayawardene couldn't go back and cut that, lost his balance as he missed it, just managed to drag his foot at the last moment, sharp work though from Baz behind the stumps, and this time Saheba takes his time and makes the right decision

Has Mahela Jayawardene been stumped? The third umpire has been called for, looks close. Mr. Saheba at work again, remember the blemish earlier this innings?

32.1 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, 2 runs, chaos, the fielders appeal, the umpire does not go for the third ump! Mahela Jayawardene squeezes a yorker to point, sets off for a quick single, the throw comes in to the bowler's end, Mahela Jayawardene was well in by the time the ball hit the stumps, the ball ricochets wide of the fielder backing up and they sneak the extra run

31.6 Williamson to Sangakkara, no run, sharper delivery, not much air, off stumpish, Sangakkara gets behind the line and taps it to the off side

31.5 Williamson to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, a hint of air, Mahela Jayawardene clears his front leg and chips it over the vacant mid off region, the ball goes on one bounce to Nathan at long off

31.2 Williamson to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, tucks it off the backfoot to deep square leg, gets to his 56th ODI fifty, 5th in World Cups and 4th against NZ

31.1 Williamson to Sangakkara, 1 run, nicely tossed up from Williamson, driven through extra cover, there is a man in the deep, and that brings Mahela Jayawardene on strike, he's on 49

Kane Williamson, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

30.6 Ryder to Sangakkara, 1 run, another single to end the ofer, Sangakkara has driven it to long on after clearing his front foot

30.5 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, Ryder is doing a decent job by not bowling it short, short balls at his pace can be clobbered all over, anyway, Mahela Jayawardene drove this fuller delivery to long on

30.4 Ryder to Sangakkara, 1 run, fuller again, driven down to long on for an ambled single

30.3 Ryder to Sangakkara, no run, too full, Sangakkara squeezes it out to the off side, can't get it past point

30.2 Ryder to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length and angled across, Sangakkara stays behind and defends it to the off side

Jesse Ryder [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

Thanks Karthik! The other game between Ireland and Netherlands is heading towards a tight finish, right now, I would want to put my money on Ireland to finish things off. Coming back to this game, Bennett, who landed badly on his left ankle, has left the field, Ryder comes in to complete the over.

And they take drinks with that. Good time for me (Karthik) to hand over the comms to Ajith.

30.1 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, Bennett was struggling and he has gone down after bowling that! It was a full toss on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene clips it on the bounce to deep backward square leg, looks like Bennett has pulled a leg muscle and goes down.. another injury worry for the Kiwis??

Russel Arnold spots an opportunity to come up with this 'witty' comment: Bennett's mind and feet are not working together.

Bennett again aborts his run up..

Bennett aborts his run up..

29.6 N McCullum to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, aggression from Sanga! It was tossed up on the off, Sangakkara goes on his knees and powers it over mid wicket for a boundary, that went flat and fast, almost gets a maximum, just falls short!

29.5 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, makes room and drives a full delivery straight to cover, takes a single

29.4 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, 10th 100 partnership between these 2 comes up with a chip to sweeper cover, they are the backbone of the middle order and doing a great job out here

29.3 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, given air on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene sweeps it to fine leg

29.2 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, tossed up on the off, Sangakkara swings it uppishly to long on, goes on the bounce to the fielder

29.1 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, flat and on the pads, Mahela Jayawardene works it to deep square leg

There is a bit of frustration among the Kiwis after that C&B chance was denied. They are diving around, having a shy at the stumps, the skipper is talking to the umpires.. well well..

28.6 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, full and straight, Sangakkara drives it straight to extra cover, good over this from Bennett

28.5 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, length delivery on the legs, Sangakkara clips it to mid wicket

28.4 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, very full and wide outside off, Sangakkara squeezes it out to point

28.3 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length delivery on the off, Sangakkara stays back and defends it to the pitch

28.3 Bennett to Sangakkara, wide, bouncer and goes very high over Sanga's head, wide called

28.2 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, good stuff from Bennett, length delivery on the off, Sangakkara looks to pull it, it was not too short for that, beats him

28.1 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, good ball and no no ball this time! Slow bouncer on the middle, Mahela Jayawardene waits waits and waits, pulls it straight to deep square leg

28.1 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no ball, good ball but no ball, whoa it rhymes! It was a back of a length delivery on the stumps, hurries on to the batsman as he jumps and looks to defend it, goes off the edge to the off side, free hit coming up!

Hamish Bennett [3.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack

27.6 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flighted delivery on the middle, Sangakkara looks to drive it hard down the ground, mistimes it back to the bowler

27.5 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, loopy delivery on the off, Sangakkara gives the charge and yorks himself, hits the ball onto his boots before it went to the off side

27.4 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flat and straight, Sangakkara taps it back to the bowler

27.3 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 2 runs,in the air but safe! It was pitched up on the off, Sangakkara drives it uppishly over the bowler, Franklin dives and cuts the boundary, the take 2

27.2 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, tossed up on the off, Mahela Jayawardene comes down the track and drives it to long off

27.1 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, flat and on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene works it to mid wicket

26.6 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, drills a full delivery to long on, retains strike

26.5 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, full and straight, Mahela Jayawardene defends it back to the bowler

26.4 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, 62nd ODI FIFTY!!, 7th in WCs and 3rd in this WC for the skipper! Comes with a steer to sweeper cover, superb innings this but he has to go on

Coming back to the caught and bowled chance of N McCullum, Mahela had all the rights to stand his ground. The umpire should've probably seen a few more replays before giving it not out..

26.3 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the off, Mahela Jayawardene guides it to short third man

26.2 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 2 runs, superb cricket all around! It was full and straight, Mahela Jayawardene paddles scoops it to fine leg where Bennett dives to his right and saves a couple, superb effort from him and a good shot as well

26.1 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, the off cutter on the off, Mahela Jayawardene pushes it back to the bowler who dives to stop a single, good effort

25.6 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, flat, short and on the middle and leg, Mahela Jayawardene pulls it to deep square leg

25.5 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, 9000 ODI runs for Sangakkara!, comes with a flick to deep mid wicket, what a cheer he is getting from the crowd as well, totally deserved!

25.4 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, waits and steers a short delivery to short third man, rotates strike

25.3 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, given air on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene turns it to mid wicket

25.2 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, shouts of catch it, but falls safe! flighted delivery on the legs, Sangakkara chips it uppishly to long on, goes on the bounce to the fielder

25.1 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flat and short outside off, Sangakkara cuts it to point where Ross Taylor dives and stops

24.6 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, in the channel outside off, Mahela Jayawardene opens the face of the bat and guides it to the third man fence, now Styris has a go at the batsman, well the Kiwis still can't believe it

24.5 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the off, Sangakkara punches it to long on off his backfoot

24.4 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, the off cutter outside off, Sangakkara pats it to point

24.3 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, pushes a length delivery back to Styris

They are continuing to play replays of that caught and bowled appeal from different angles. Well, I must say it looked out. The commentators on air are fuming

24.2 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, strays on the legs this time, Mahela Jayawardene works it to fine leg

24.1 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, full and on the off, Sangakkara drives it to long off

Simon Doull on air: Amish Saheba deserves a sack.

23.6 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, N McCullum will not like it! It was flighted delivery on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene sweeps it hard and well to the fine leg fence, N McCullum is fuming and has a word with Asad Rauf, he still can not believe Mahela Jayawardene is still batting!

23.5 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, flat and on the middle, Mahela Jayawardene flicks it to mid wicket

23.4 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, clips a flat delivery to mid wicket for a single

23.3 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, drives a full delivery to long on

23.2 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, N McCullum can NOT believe it! Ross Taylor is walking up to the umpire now, Amiesh Saheba was the third umpire, It was a tossed up delivery on the leg, Mahela Jayawardene looked to flick but the leading edge flew to the right of N McCullum who dived and 'caught' it inches off the ground, Saheba gives the benefit of doubt to the batsman, well well.. it was sooo close!

A BRILLIANT catch by N McCullum and the Kiwis celebrate! But, Mahela is standing his ground, just to make sure that N McCullum caught it properly. If he did, this is THE catch of the tournament! Looks very close. The commentators on air feel its out. The umpires are discussing. NOT OUT!!

23.1 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 2 runs, the pressure is getting on Mahela and it's visible! It was tossed up on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene goes for the reverse sweep, gets a top edge but it flies over short third man for a couple

22.6 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, works a straight and full delivery to deep mid wicket

22.5 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, the off cutter wide outside off, Sangakkara stretches and drives it a bit uppishly to sweeper cover, it was in the air for a while but safe

22.4 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, again maintains a good length on the off, Sangakkara can only push it to cover

22.3 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, pushes a fullish delivery to cover

22.2 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, rare misfield from the Kiwis, a length delivery on the legs turned to square leg, Ryder lets it go through him and they take a single, Mahela Jayawardene wanted a second, but Sangakkara sent him back

22.1 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, back of a length delivery outside off, Sangakkara goes back and punches it hard to sweeper cover

21.6 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, walks to the pitch of the ball and works it to mid wicket, retains strike

21.5 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, flat and on the legs, Mahela Jayawardene clips it wide of mid wicket, Guptill does well to dive and have a shy at the bowler's end, but Mahela was equally quick and they get the run easily

21.4 N McCullum to Mahela Jayawardene, no run

21.3 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, slower this time on the middle and leg, Sangakkara defends it to the vacant square leg area for a run

21.2 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flat fast and full, Sangakkara pushes it to the off side

21.1 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flat and on the off, Sangakkara defends it to cover

20.6 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, drives a full delivery to long off

20.5 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, fuller on the middle and leg, Mahela Jayawardene drills it to long on

20.4 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, almost a caught and bowled chance! It was the off cutter again, Mahela Jayawardene wanted to push it back to the bowler, ends up playing it a bit early, the ball lobs to the left of Styris and goes to mid off

20.3 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, the off cutter on the off, Mahela Jayawardene pushes it back to the bowler

20.2 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, strays on the legs, Sangakkara clips it off his pads to deep square leg

20.1 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, length delivery on the legs, Sangakkara pushes it to the on side

The commentators on air are discussing whether Ashwin should play against Windies on Sunday.. That's the biggest question doing the rounds in this country now..

19.6 N McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, loopy delivery on the off, Sangakkara drives it to long off

19.5 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, strays down the leg again, Sangakkara pushes it to the on side

19.1 N McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, from around the wickets, flat and on the off, Sangakkara pats it to cover

Nathan McCullum, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

18.6 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, full and just outside off, Sangakkara comes on the frontfoot and drives it to long off

18.5 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, there is no fielder at point and Mahela Jayawardene pushes a short delivery through that region for a single

18.4 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, length delivery on the off, Sangakkara pushes it to sweeper cover, easy single taken

18.3 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, fuller and wider, Sangakkara square drives it to point

18.2 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, slow and straight, Sangakkara defends it to the off side

18.1 Styris to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, the 50 partnership is up with a push to long on, a good partnership for SL, they badly needed this after losing their openers early

Scott Styris, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

17.6 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length on the middle, Sangakkara defends it to the on side to end another good over

17.5 Franklin to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, strays on the leg this time, he clips it to fine leg

17.4 Franklin to Sangakkara, 1 run, shorter this time on the off, Sangakkara waits patiently and steers it to third man

17.3 Franklin to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, full and angled across, Mahela Jayawardene drives it to mid off, Jacob Oram does well to put in a dive and save a few runs for the team, they get just a single

17.2 Franklin to Sangakkara, 1 run, fuller this time, Sangakkara comes forward and drives it to mid off, didn't time it all that well so he'll get just a run

17.1 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, length delivery on the off, Sangakkara looks to defend, the ball takes the inside edge and goes to the on side

16.6 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, superb stuff from Oram, a MAIDEN OVER!!. A back of a length delivery to end the over, Mahela Jayawardene defends it to the off side

16.5 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, this is good bowling, maintains a good line and length, Mahela Jayawardene can only defend those

16.4 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, back of a length delivery on the off, Mahela Jayawardene goes back and defends this time

16.3 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, good length delivery on the off, Mahela Jayawardene defends it back to the bowler

16.1 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, pitching on length and nipping back in, Mahela Jayawardene defends it to the on side

15.6 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, good end to the over, keeps it straight and simple, Sangakkara blocks it off his frontfoot

15.5 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, nice looking shot but no run, full and outside off, Sangakkara drives it hard but straight to the fielder at cover

15.4 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, maintains it in the zone outside off, Sangakkara pushes it to the off side

15.3 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, on a length this time, Sangakkara defends it confidently

15.2 Franklin to Sangakkara, no run, similar to previous delivery, this time he mistimes the drive to mid off

15.1 Franklin to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, what a welcome to Franklin! Full and outside off, Sangakkara comes on the frontfoot, gets to the pitch of the ball and creams it past extra cover, no chance for the fielder in the deep as well, superb timing!

James Franklin, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

14.6 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, bounces high and hits Mahela Jayawardene on the thigh pad, Mahela Jayawardene was shuffling to cli it and missed, it would've gone over the stumps

14.5 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, Oram is ambling in and bowling it on a short of length outside off, Mahela Jayawardene isn't tempted by that and lets it go

14.4 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, full ball on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene gets half forward and then blocks

14.3 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara shuffles across to middle and glances it down to fine leg

14.1 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, good length delivery on off stump, Sangakkara defends off the front-foot

Oram is back on and I'm, Srivathsa done for the first innings. Will see you in the second dig. It will be the Chennai man - Karthik L - who is quite used to the heat and humidity to take you through till the next drinks break.

An interesting snippet: Russel Arnold on air was saying that Avishka Gunawardene is the personal batting coach of Sangakkara. I remember him pretty well. He used to kiss the bat before facing every ball. He partnered Jayasuriya and hit the ball even harder sometimes than the great man. It is really curious and interesting to see such a sweet timer of the ball like a Sangakkara have a batting coach like Avishka - when you consider that he belted the ball to all corners of the ground.

Time for drinks. It has been a very very hot day. The players will take three drinks breaks today I'm guessing. Sri Lanka have gotten over the initial setbacks and look good to make a substantial score. Their two best players are in the middle too.

13.6 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, slower off cutter and on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene gets forward and defends

13.4 Ryder to Sangakkara, 1 run, a misfield from Guptill at cover and he is not happy, slaps his hand into the red soil as the ball runs away from him

13.3 Ryder to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, Sangakkara went back deep into his crease and got under that full delivery before creaming it over mid off, did not hit it as well as he would've liked to, yet since the mid off is inside, Sangakkara will get a boundary

13.3 Ryder to Sangakkara, no ball, if it was not a no-ball, it would have been a wide, very wide outside off, the field can't change, a free hit coming up

13.2 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, this time opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man

13.1 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, slower delivery on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene gets forward and defends it to short cover

Jesse Ryder [1.0-0-2-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, Sangakkara looks set to play the big knock today, he shoulders arms to a ball outside off

12.5 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, the surprise short delivery and Sangakkara has no trouble in ducking under that, called one for the over

12.4 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, once again, Sangakkara is right in behind that back of a length delivery on off stump

12.3 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, Sangakkara gets behind the line and defends with a high front elbow

12.2 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, leg byes, 1 run, this time takes the thigh pad and rolls down to leg

12.1 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, 2 runs, slides down leg and Mahela Jayawardene closes the face of the bat to tuck it down to fine leg, a slight fumble and they come back for the second

Jacob Oram [3.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack

11.6 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, driven straight to the fielder at cover, again powerfully hit, could not find the gap this time

11.5 Bennett to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, Sangakkara is the most graceful of all the lefties that I have seen - especially when he plays the straight drive like that, a length ball, driven with a high front elbow, full face of the bat, hit the sweet spot of the bat and beat a sprawling dive from mid off, who is standing a lot squarer, wonderful stuff from the Lankan skipper, beautiful straight drive PS: When I meant lefties I have seen, I have taken into account only the straight drive by Sangakkara, even BC Lara and Ganguly were my favorites.

11.4 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, Bennett is sweating profusely, he keeps it in the corridor of uncertainty, Sangakkara shoulders arms

11.3 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, nicely punched back to Bennett, who stops it on his follow-through

11.2 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, pacy delivery, on a back of a length on off stump, Sangakkara unveils his backfoot defence, dead solid

11.1 Bennett to Sangakkara, no run, full delivery outside off, Sangakkara watchully lets it go, Bennett is running in and bowling quick

10.6 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, Ryder is lucky that with fine leg up, it did not go away for a boundary, Mahela Jayawardene closes the face of the bat and tucks it straight to man inside the ring

10.5 Ryder to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, that looked like seam-up delivery, full on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene gets forward and wrists it to mid on

10.4 Ryder to Sangakkara, 1 run, only off cutters from Ryder this over, Sangakkara closes the face of the bat and turns it to leg

10.3 Ryder to Sangakkara, no run, another cutter on middle, Sangakkara sees it early and then blocks

10.2 Ryder to Sangakkara, no run, angled across Sangakkara, who lets it go to Baz

10.1 Ryder to Sangakkara, no run, slower off cutter on middle, Sangakkara gets right behind the line to defend

10.1 Ryder to Sangakkara, wide, way outside off and Baz does well to collect

Jesse Ryder, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

Jesse Ryder with spiked hair and a ginger beard comes on. Baz is standing up to him. Ryder looks fitter and less bulkier.

9.6 Bennett to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara tried to hit that too hard, and ended up dragging it to fine leg, a low full toss, since Sangakkara played that with a closed face, he got only a single

9.5 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, low full toss, that was drifting into the pads, Mahela Jayawardene clips it down to fine leg

9.4 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, once again, right up there, Mahela Jayawardene plays it with an open face to backward point

9.3 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, yorker length delivery on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene squeezes it out to mid off

9.2 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, full toss, that could have been and should have been put away, Mahela Jayawardene though finds cover

9.1 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, good length delivery on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene blocks

Lots of drinks being taken. The players will get dehydrated very quickly today. Southee is getting an ice pack rubbed into his back by the sub fielder. Meanwhile Russel Arnold has a novel way to introduce Tony Greig: 'Here is a fresh gentleman beside me in the comm box.'

8.6 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, in the channel, left alone

8.5 Southee to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, this one is an edge, a definite one and no second slip as well, Sangakkara pushed at it hard, if there was a second slip it would've been a dolly, instead it beats Bennett's desperate dive at third man, Southee does not like it one bit, so frustrating from his point of view to see an edge go to the fence, especially when you consider that he is toiling away in the heat and the humidity of Mumbai

8.4 Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, short of length delivery on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene softly opens the face on that even as he was squared up a tad, runs down to third man

8.3 Southee to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, full ball on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene does not committ himself too early into the forward defensive and defends solidly

8.2 Southee to Sangakkara, 1 run, driven with no timing wide of mid off for a well judged single

8.1 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, short of length and angling away from Sangakkara, it was outside off and moving further away, Sangakkara shoulders arms

7.6 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, good sliding stop by Kane W at mid wicket, dived to his left and cut off the single

7.5 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, on a good length, hitting the bat hard

7.4 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, 2 runs, Mahela Jayawardene takes it from outside off and wrists it to Southee at fine leg, who fumbles, but they settle for a single

7.3 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, tries the yorker, Mahela Jayawardene's bat comes down on it and squeezes it back to Bennett

7.2 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, better delivery, short of length on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene is in behind it well

7.1 Bennett to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, bad delivery first up, on the pads and as Simon Doull says, that's meat and drink for Mahela Jayawardene, flicked away past square leg, all he needed to was to beat the man and he did so in style

Hamish Bennett, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

Here is Bennett who apparently does not like bowling with the new ball. Comes in as first change. Bit of Mohanty in his bowling action. Not quite the swing bowler like Mohanty, he is more of a hit the deck kind of bowler. Open chested, hustles and bustles in before leaping high in the air to deliver the ball.

6.6 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, angled across Sangakkara on a fuller length, he shoulders arms

6.5 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, that hit the splice off the bat as Sangakkara got forward to defend, Sangakkara looks at Southee and acknowledges that it was well bowled

6.4 Southee to Sangakkara, 2 runs, great stop by Big Jake at fine leg, Sangakkara played the leg glance well, it needed a dive and Jake put out his left hand and saved his side a couple of runs, in this heat and humidity, one has to commend the old man - if I may call him that - for putting in the effort

6.3 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, that was well left in the end, this is a magnificent wicket for the opening bowlers, nice pace, good carry and with that bounce too, perfect delivery in the channel, Sangakkara was unsure whether to play or not at that, then at the last moment tucked his bat under his arm and then lets it go

6.2 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, close to a wide, full and wide outside off, Sangakkara reached out and tried to square drive, he missed

6.1 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, Southee lands that on middle and it swings back in towards the pads, Sangakkara does not move his front foot far too across, defends

5.5 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, same line, same length, same delivery, same description

5.4 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, in the corridor of uncertainty, with a bit of bounce, Mahela Jayawardene shoulders arms

5.3 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, softly tapped to the vacant short leg area, Sangakkara isn't interested in the single, the quick one that is

5.2 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, slack work from Bennett at mid on, it was wristed to the right of him and despite the slide, he could not stop a regulation shot, lets it go through his hands, Simon Doull and Danny M were talking about him on how he does not like to bowl with the new ball, and immediately Bennett puts in a poor effort to allow Mahela Jayawardene to get off the mark

5.1 Oram to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, Oram lands it on a perfect short of length, on off stump, Mahela Jayawardene covers the seam movement and then defends

4.6 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, square driven with elan, but straight to the fielder at backward point

4.5 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, Southee holds his hands on his head as Sangakkara leaves one outside off, full and swung back in, it swung after Sangakkara shouldered arms, Baz moved to his right and collected it

4.4 Southee to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, too full on middle, Sangakkara the terrific timer of a cricket ball that he is, clips it wide of Franklin at mid on, who gives chase, but in vain as it goes away to the fence, even a slide was not enough to prevent the boundary

Mahela Jayawardene, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.3 Southee to Dilshan, out Caught by Oram!! What a well planned, plotted and executed dismissal by Southee. He slowly walked back to his bowling crease. Took a few deep breaths before steaming in. Then went wide of the crease and angled it in to leg stump. Dilshan's eyes lit up when he saw that delicious offering. Thought that here is the chance to break the shackles and swung at it in his trade-mark style. He closed the face as he played that. A leading edge swirled way up into the Mumbai sky and Oram at third man settled under it. Big Jake won't drop that. And he pumps his fist for he knows how important a wicket that is. Terrific wicket for the Kiwis. Dilshan c Oram b Southee 3(15)

Southee to Dilshan, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

4.2 Southee to Dilshan, no run, full and on off stump, Dilshan shows the full face of the bat and punches it back to Southee, Dilshan is timing them well, but can't get it into the gap

4.1 Southee to Dilshan, no run, full delivery on off stump, Dilshan isn't flustered by the things that are happening at the other end and drives powerfully, but straight to the fielder at mid off

3.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, defended to the on side

Sanga is alright. Guptill has hit direct. A full length dive from Sangakkara has saved him.

3.5 Oram to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, Sangakkara has been saved by the thinnest of margins, it was tapped to the left of Guptill at square leg, Sangakkara wanted the single, Dilshan was not so sure, sent him back, Guptill hit direct, Sangakkara made it back with a dive, it went to the third ump, who confirmed the same, the richochet runs away to the boundary as all the Kiwis were busy celebrating and no one kept a watch on the ball, close shave for the Lankan skipper

3.3 Oram to Dilshan, 1 run, punched down to third man, played on the up

3.2 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara gets a thick outer edge that gets him off the mark, it rolled along the ground

3.1 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, another ripper from Oram, angled across Sangakkara on a short of length and drew Sangakkara into the forward defensive, as Sangakkara moved across to play that, it moved away with the angle and beat him, zipped through to the keeper

Kumar Sangakkara, left handed bat, comes to the crease

2.6 Southee to Dilshan, out Tharanga Run Out!! One of the unluckiest ways to get out in cricket. And Tharanga has fallen that way. He was already two steps down the wicket as Southee was delivering the ball. Dilshan drove that beautifully, a well timed straight drive, Southee the athlete that he is, bent down to his right to deflect it to the leg stump at Tharanga's end. The long limbs of Southee doing the trick. Just touched the 4th finger of Southee's right hand and dislodged the bail. Tharanga who made a fine ton, in the last game walks back. Tharanga run out (Southee) 3(7)

2.5 Southee to Dilshan, no run, good carry through to Baz, it was full and it was wide outside off, Southee is getting it to swing and that moved away a fraction to beat the flashing blade of Dilshan, Baz appeals and then aborts it

2.4 Southee to Dilshan, no run, driven crisply, but straight to the fielder at mid off, Dilshan can't pick the gap

2.4 Southee to Dilshan, 5 wides, only Baz could get have gotten a finger-tip on that, I bet no other keeper could not even have gotten a hand on that, let alone a finger, Baz kicked his heels up and then leapt full length to prevent that monster of a bouncer from running away, all he could was get a tiny finger and parry it over the bar - in football it would've been a great save, here in cricket, it only means 4 runs to the opposition

2.3 Southee to Tharanga, 1 run, short of length outside off, no swing this time, Tharanga cuts it down to third man

2.2 Southee to Tharanga, no run, Southee is bowling it full to get some swing, on the stumps, Tharanga punches it back to Southee who gets his left hand and stops it on his follow-through

2.1 Southee to Tharanga, no run, nice looking off drive, it was pitched up on off stump, Tharanga showed the full face and drove it to mid off

1.6 Oram to Dilshan, no run, driven firmly to mid off who is quite wide, straight to him

1.5 Oram to Dilshan, no run, in-ducker, moves in to hit the thigh pad of Dilshan, it went to square leg, Kane W had a dart at the stumps and hit, Dilshan was in and was looking for the extra run, the Kiwis were alert to prevent that

1.4 Oram to Dilshan, no run, short of length delivery on the stumps, Dilshan gets right behind the line and then pushes it back to Oram

1.3 Oram to Dilshan, 2 runs, driven with one hand coming off the bat, Dilshan square drove away from the body and since it swung away, it caught the outer half of the bat and raced past cover

1.2 Oram to Dilshan, no run, real beaut! Oram with his height gets that to bounce from an awkward length, it landed on off, and left Dilshan as he tried to ride the bounce, Oram bowls that leg cutter well and he delivered it perfectly, kicked up from that back of a length and went past the groping blade of Dilshan

1.1 Oram to Tharanga, 1 run, this is a surprise move as Oram shares the new ball, Tharanga prods forward to defend and since he played with an angled bat it took the inner edge and rolled past his leg stump, a lucky escape for Tharanga

Jacob Oram, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6 Southee to Dilshan, no run, play and miss or a thrash and a miss, pitched up and moving away outside off, Dilshan went after it and it flew past the edge, definite swing for Southee and it will swing for a while, good start by Southee

0.5 Southee to Dilshan, no run, solid forward defence to a good length delivery on the stumps

0.4 Southee to Dilshan, no run, tremendous stop by Kane W at cover, it was belted on the up by Dilshan and though he half stopped it, he prevented any runs being taken, it was hit extremely hard by Dilshan

0.3 Southee to Tharanga, 1 run, swinging in to middle and leg, Tharanga edges his flick onto the pads and it runs away behind square leg

0.2 Southee to Tharanga, no run, bang on the stumps, Tharanga gets right behind the line and shows the full face of the bat to defend

0.1 Southee to Tharanga, leg byes, 2 runs, swings towards the pads and catches Tharanga's pads, another acrobatic stop by Baz, but he can only parry it to fine leg

0.1 Southee to Tharanga, wide, what a good stop by Baz, it went down the leg side and he flung himself acrobatically like a footie goalie to his right to save a boundary

Tharanga and Dilshan are at the crease. Tharanga is on strike. Southee will open the attack

Here we go shouts Mark Nicholas on air and we are set as well. Southee with a couple of slips in for him steams in. Tharanga is on strike. The pitch looks quite brownish. 41.6 degrees today and the players are sweating a lot. Definitely Southee will get some swing under these humid conditions. It is Srivathsa who is starting off proceedings.

Different looks in the Kiwi camp: Daniel Vettori has a goatee and a small moustache which makes him look like Adolf Hitler. Jesse Ryder has a ginger beard while Styris, Nathan and Baz are clean shaven. PS: The Vettori comparison should be taken in the right spirit and not seen as something else.

National anthems time: Good to see a young kid (the ones who accompany the cricketers) who is physically handicapped being taken into the ground in a wheelchair by Nathan McCullum. First up is the Sri Lankan anthem - 'Namo namo matha' - in Sinhalese. Mendis and Dilshan clear their throats as they recite it. It is a pretty lengthy anthem too. Next up is the Black Caps' one. And a melodious one as well. Some smattering of Kiwi supporters in the stands.

Taylor: We would have batted first too, Vettori's absence gives an opportunity for someone to step up. Today is a big game leading into the quarter finals. Bennett comes in for Mills.

Sangakkara: We are batting first, there may be some spongy bounce to start off with, but I guess it will do a lot more under lights. We have a settled side, we are playing Mendis as our second spinner, and we have 3 seamers in Malinga, Kulasekara and Mathews.

Tony Greig is all set for the toss, the captains are out and Ross Taylor flips the coin.

Guptill: We have put on some good performances at the top that have given the middle order some opportunities to hit over the top right from the time they have come in to bat. Sri Lanka are a good side, it is a warm day, and we need to keep the hydration right.

Pitch report: This was the same pitch where NZ scored 358 a couple of days ago, but there is a bit more grass covering on the wicket. The ball may seam around initially and it would be a better option to bowl first feels Simon Doull.

A warm welcome to the big game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand from the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Even though both teams have already qualified for the quarters, they would like to get a win under their belt and ensure that they face the weaker teams from Group B in the first of the knock out stages. Will the Sri Lankan bowlers spin a web around the Kiwi batsmen? Will Ross Taylor and Co. fire again to create some sort of an upset? This is Ajith, and I'll bring you all the action along with Ganesh, Karthik, Pradeep and Srivathsa. Stay tuned for more updates.

Preview by Saurabh Somani
Compared to the upheavals going on in Group B, Group A looks very serene. The four quarter-finalists are the top four ranked teams, and none of the minnows have upset any of the teams. However, amongst Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, there is still a lot of uncertainty over who will qualify in what place in the quarterfinals. However, the New Zealand-Sri Lanka match will determine to a large extent the fortunes of both teams involved.
The equation is clear-cut for Sri Lanka: If they win, they will finish second in Group A and if they lose they will finish fourth (This is considering the Pakistan-Australia match does not end in a tie or a no result). A win for New Zealand would see them finish first or second in the group, while a loss will see them third or fourth - with their exact spot dependent on the Australia-Pakistan result.
This will also be a match played in neutral territory, and both teams will be hoping to be back at the Wankhede in Mumbai in a couple of weeks time. To be there then, they have to start by being at their best today.
New Zealand: Apart from their poor result against Australia, New Zealand have looked a different side to the one that got thumped 5-0 against India just over four months ago. They beat Kenya in a match that lasted less than 32 overs, beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets, and beat Canada also by a handy margin. And then of course, there was that match against Pakistan, where the last few overs saw a Ross Taylor carnage that left the opposition seemingly too dazed to chase. It can be said that apart from Pakistan and Australia, New Zealand haven't faced tough opposition yet, and there will be some truth to that. However, a record of 1-1 is certainly better than they would have been expecting. Some key figures will be missing in action for New Zealand in Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills, whom the Black Caps do not wish to risk ahead of the knock-out stages, which puts a greater onus on the batting to deliver. However, this is a good time to put the onus on the Kiwi batting since it has been delivering solid returns in this World Cup. Tim Southee has been in exceptional form for them and will have to lead the attack in Vettori's absence. So far he has netted 11 victims at an impressive economy rate of 3.4 and an average of just 13.45. If he can keep that up, New Zealand can look forward to taking some strong momentum into the quarter-finals with a win over a pre-tournament favourite.
Sri Lanka: Touted as a pre-tournament favourite, they suddenly have no wins against major sides to show, with only one match left to play. That they have qualified for the knock-out stages will be little consolation, since Sri Lanka would have fully expected to be heading into the final match with 10 points instead of the 7 they are taking now. They were always playing catch-up in their defeat to Pakistan, and rain robbed cricket fans of what could have been a classic low-scoring duel with Australia. They have clobbered the minnows, but then in Group A, every established team has clobbered the minnows. Sri Lanka will need their lower middle order to assume more responsibility against stronger sides, which has been their only Achilles heel so far in the tournament. The bowling led by Malinga and Muralitharan looks potent, especially when you factor in at least one other spinner among Herath/Mendis to partner Murali on sub-continent pitches. Malinga has been a little like the Sehwag of bowling: capable of wrecking destruction on any surface, not conventionally orthodox, and with more than a hint of the maverick. Like New Zealand, Sri Lanka will also want to head into the quarter-finals with a good win under their belt. Given that seedings in Group B are still chaotic, Sri Lanka could very well draw India, in which case they would have to play their quarter-finals away from home in Ahmedabad, and a win in Mumbai just before that will certainly do their confidence a world of good.
Watch Out For:
Ross Taylor
In the last two matches, Ross Taylor's combined aggregate reads: 205 runs off 168 balls faced with one dismissal. Saying he's been in devastating form is understating it. Luckily for his side, the form has come just at the right time.
Head to Head:
In World Cups, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have met 7 times, with Sri Lanka winning four encounters and New Zealand winning three. Their last meeting was in the semi-final of the 2007 World Cup, which Sri Lanka won rather handily. New Zealand will event the score in more ways than one by winning here: they will have avenged the 2007 loss and they will have restored parity in their win/loss ratio against the Lankans.
Quotes:
"I'd like to sit down with people like Murali and Harbhajan and talk to them about how they went in getting it (the doosra) in their repertoire. But at the moment, I'm focussed at just winning games for New Zealand. I bowl a different type of delivery. It's not a doosra but its something else." - Nathan McCullum
"We love playing in front of our crowd. Their support really lifts us. But sometimes, not having a huge crowd and their expectations, may make things a bit easier." - Kumar Sangakkara.